1. SAFETY & VEHICLE DESIGN Copyright © 2016 STC, UK

2. Vehicle Safety  Crash avoidance Braking Stability Visibility  Vehicle crashworthiness Weight/size Occupant protection

3. Federal Regulations  1970NHTSA  1978Safety belt requirements  1988Side impact protection  1990Driver side airbag  1991Head restraints pick up trucks  1994Rollover protection  1996Fuel system integrity  1997Dual airbags  2000Head protection w/airbag  2007NCAP star rating

4. Vehicle Crash Statistics Traffic Safety Facts 2013, NHTSA

5. Crash Severity and Impact Location Passenger CarsLight Trucks Traffic Safety Facts 2013, NHTSA

6. Vehicle Safety Features (1/2)  Research started in late 1960’s  Safety was not a major issue  Several vehicle features were cosmetic

7. Vehicle Safety Features (2/2)  Interior design problems  Crashworthiness

8. Safety Components  Safety belts  Fuel tank location  Head restraints  Airbags  High-center mounted rear brake light  Antilock brakes

9. Frontal Crashes  Features to reduce impact Safety belts Air bags Antilock brakes Padded interior Vehicle structure  Minimum tolerable injury levels Brick wall @ 40 mph  Moderate and Small overlap

10. Offset Crash Test NHTSA Public Presentations

11. Side Crashes  Typically affect autos & pick up trucks  Injury thresholds for 31/38.5 mph impact  Safety features to reduce injury Door reinforcement Side impact air bags

12. Side Impact Crash Test

13. Rear Impact  Smallest fraction of fatal accidents  Primary injury is whiplash  Safety features to reduce injury Head restrains Safety belts  No crashworthiness tests for rear impact exist

14. Rollover Crashes  About 20% of fatal crashes  Safety features to reduce injury Stronger roof design Seat belts Vehicle stability  Tests Roof strength

15. Crash Test Dummies

16. What Makes a Vehicle “Safe”?  Seatbelts84%  Antilock brakes73%  Front airbags69%  Traction control system67%  Electronic stability control 67%  Side airbags65% Kaul et al. SAE International 2010-01-2336

17. What Affects Vehicle Choice?  Quality/reliability93%  Safety86%  Price79%  Fuel economy77%  Performance/handling75%  Maintenance72% McCartt and Wells, IIHS 2010

18. Vehicle Improvements  Understand importance of safety features  Advertisement targets safety features

19. Future Trends  Rollover tests  Rear end crash tests  Safety belt usage  Public information

20. Big Question Can a “safe” vehicle reduce the number of crashes?